As I wasn't able to find my copy of Windows XP, my friend gave me his when he decided to come over. I didn't print the instructions out, as I had installed Vista via Bootcamp (this time, though, I simply wanted XP as it's easier to use, so I deleted the BootCamp portion and made a new one) so I thought it would be the same.

I make the portion using BootCamp Assistant, only 20GB (mainly for games) and then it asks me to insert the XP CD. I do so, and the installer starts.

First thing I noticed is, is that unlike Vista, the XP installation wasn't as clear. It said to choose a portion, and here's where things went wrong.

There was only one portion there, which was around 13GB. I chose it, as I couldn't (or must of missed it) see any options to format a partion (When I previously installed Vista, I had to format a Partion).

Anyway, I chose that Partion and it started to install of the disc. At about 2% it said the file could not be installed, and that I should either press Enter to try installing that file again, or press ESC to skip the file. I pressed enter a few times, and all those times it didn't install. So I press ESC and only a few files after it says that again.

After having this happen a few times, I decided to quit the installer. If I remember correctly, I followed the options to quit the installer and it said your computer would restart in X number of seconds.

It restarts, and the white screen comes up. No Apple Logo. I knew I was screwed. I didn't really know what was wrong, though.I call Apple Australia and explain my situation to them. After giving me a few suggestions, he decided I should bring it in to the store I purchased it from (I don't have AppleCare, yet. But I do have my 90 Day Trial).

After some long driving we arrive at the Apple Centre (Reseller, does Apple repairs and such) and they take it. This was all yesterday, and am expecting a call from them to tell me whats wrong.
The main reason I made this thread was to ask if anyone knows what could have happened? Did I lose everything? Will my Alu iMac every work again?

The main reason I made this thread was to ask if anyone knows what could have happened? Did I lose everything? Will my Alu iMac every work again?

Click to expand...

You did not break your Mac that is easily saved by reinstalling OSX with using the disk utilities option on the menu during install. With that the disk can be repartitioned and installed easily. Hopefully they took it to save your files it would be a painful task at best if the table telling OSX how the files are laid out still exists it would of course be less painful.

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